Legislative Activity

Senate Cloture Vote Scheduled for FDA Nominee, Chamber May Consider Opioid Legislation

On Monday, February 22, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has scheduled a cloture vote on the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner.   Three Senators – Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) – have raised a variety of concerns and placed holds on the nomination.  Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) lifted her hold after resolving her concerns on the labeling of genetically engineered salmon.

Majority Leader McConnell has also stated that the chamber may consider S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015, later in the week.  This legislation authorizes funding to fight opioid abuse.

This Week’s Hearings:

• Tuesday, February 23: The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing titled “Persian Gulf War: An Assessment of Health Outcomes on the 25th Anniversary.”

• Tuesday, February 23: The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will hold a joint hearing titled “Legislative Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans.”

• Tuesday, February 23: The Senate Committee on Finance will hold a hearing titled “Examining the Opioid Epidemic: Challenges and Opportunities.”

• Tuesday, February 23: The Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel will hold a hearing titled “Defense Health Care Reform.”

• Wednesday, February 24: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2017 HHS Budget.”

• Wednesday, February 24: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing titled “The Zika Virus: Coordination of a Multi-Agency Response.”

• Wednesday, February 24: The House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel will hold a hearing titled “Defense Health Agency: Budgeting and Structure.”

• Wednesday, February 24: The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) will hold a hearing titled “Zika Virus: Addressing the Growing Public Health Threat.”

• Wednesday, February 24: The Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing titled “Opioid Use Among Seniors – Issues and Emerging Trends.”

• Thursday, February 25: The House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing titled “Indian Health Service Budget.”

• Thursday, February 25: The House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing titled “Department of Health and Human Services Budget.”

• Thursday, February 25: The House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing titled “Food and Drug Administration Budget.”

• Thursday, February 25: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing titled “Review of Obamacare Consumer-Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs).”

• Thursday, February 25: The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hold a hearing titled “Connecting Patients to New and Potential Life Saving Treatments.”

• Friday, February 26: The House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel will hold a hearing titled “Ensuring Medical Readiness in the Future.”